Gurina (Edwinson) Rasmusson (1853-1938)

EDWINSON, RASMUSSON, RASMUSSEN, HIA, KALTVEDT, VARLAND, ANDERSON, BRALAND, RITLAND, SANDNESS, ROMP, BOWEN, HANDELAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/6/2024 at 11:32:11

From Story City Herald April 7, 1938 (page 13)

News of Randall Community

MRS. GURINA RASMUSSEN

Mrs. Gurina Rasmussen (Hia) daughter of Edwin and Mary Kaltvedt, was born at Aardal, Norway, Nov. 25, 1853, and died at her homestead 4 miles northeast of Randall, March 31, 1938, at the age of 84 year, 4 months and 6 days.

At the age of 3 years she came with her parents and twin sister to America, and settled at Leland, Ill. July 5 1868, she was united in marriage to Osmond Rasmussen at Filie, Ill. Rev. J. O. Estrem was the officiating pastor.

In 1871 the family came to Iowa and for a short time made their home near Roland. Three years later they moved to Hamilton county, Iowa, and settled on the homestead where Mrs. Rasmussen lived until her death.

She became the mother of 11 children. Edwin and Mrs. Louise Varland have preceded her in death, so also her husband, who passed away July 26, 1921. The children who mourn her passing are: R. O. Rasmussen, Story City; Elias Rasmussen, Alden; Lena Anderson and Edna Braland, Alden, Minn.; Mary Ritland, Inglewood, Cal.; Emma Sandness, New Richland, Minn.; and Mable Romp, Santa Barbara, Cal. She also leaves 48 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren and a twin sister, Mrs. Susan Bowen, a half sister, Mrs. Annie Handeland, and a half brother, Martin Edwinson.

Mrs. Rasmussen's childhood was not so pleasant. Her mother died when he was 6 years old and she had to make her home with strangers, who were not so kind to her many times, and when we remember that she was married at the age of 15 years and raised a family of 11 children, we readily understand that her life was a busy life, but by being endowed with a quiet and patient spirit and a devoted love for her home and children, she performed her task as a kind and loving mother. In return her children showed their kindness and love to their mother in her declining years.

Mrs. Rasmussen was at her death the oldest person in Scott township and the oldest member of the North St. Petri church. She had been given a sincere and child-like faith in her Saviour, and in this faith she passed on to a higher and nobler life beyond.

A large audience was present at her funeral, and $18.25 was given to missions in her memory by friends and relatives. She was buried from her home and North St. Petri church, April 3, 1938, where Rev. G. O. Paulsrud officiated. The choir of the church sang two appropriate songs. Interment was made at Mamrelund cemetery. Pallbearers were George and Andrew Ness, John Nelson, Carl Sparboe, Andrew Mickelson and Louis Braland.